In a year where global M&A activity fell 37%, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett jumped to No. 1 in the league tables for total M&A principal adviser work in 2022. 

The law firm, which advised on about $349 billion of M&A matters as a principal deal adviser last year with 202 deals, was previously ranked No. 6. in 2021, when Kirkland & Ellis was No. 1.